Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-01-07
OUR SOLDIERS HOME.
The Home for the Veterans Form.
ally Dedicated.
AHistory Of the Project Description OF tho
Building Dodioatory Exercises.

encountered opposition and finally failed.
Two bills were presented i'm the last leg
islature to relieve the soldiers in distress.
One provided for 500 bounty 10 every
Michigan soldier sailor and marine, which
was soon dropped aS impractcable. Tho
other by Representative John North
wood OF Saginaw. asked for an appropria-
ton of $4,000 10 build "a home for tho
veterons OF the war resident in the state
aud S5OO)O to carry on the institution un-
I'll the next session of the legislature.
This bill finally passed and was signed
June = 1850, Gov. Algcr appointed as a
boaod of management OF the home Col.
/ Samuel Wells of Buchanan, Col. A. H..
Bliss Of Saginaw, Gen Byron r. Pierce If
Grand Rapids X. A. RemicIl Of Detroit,
Col. Chas. y. Osborne of Naruuette and
the Hon Michael Brown of Big Rapids.
When the bill passed 10 was understood
that the site for the home should be do
mated 10 the state. After considerable
competition Grand Rapids was chosen,
and Col. Wells was selected as manager
and Mai. >. ". Long of Mt. Pleasant adju-
tant. The site property cost $l6.50). Chas
Tiedke Of Saginaw city secured the con
tract for building the home his bid being
FOR sWG6f -. The contract was awarded
Jan. %, 1856 and the building was ready
for occupancy Dec. 30, lsS6.
The home is located about three miles
north of Grand Rapids on the east side OF
Grand river. Two lines of railroad on
the opposite side of the river take visitors
within half n mile OF the home and fine
gravel road leads 90 the place from the
city. The home as completed has go feet
front facing toward the river and tho west.
overlooking Il very picturesque scene.
The material - white brick stained red,
with asher stone trimmings. The main
part of the building has - feet front and
extends back IS feet. four stories high -
feet 10 the roof, with tower above. the
top of which is l3i feet from the ground
a life sized figure Of soldier stands guard
from the apex of the roof The wings are
each - feet front l2O feet deep. and three
stories high with large arched windows
and side entrances. protected with pOrcheS
and balconies. The main building and
wings are connected 10y curtains. each o
feet long and 30 feet deep, with a T. feet
porch extending along the entire length.
and dormer window I'M the roof. The
building Is far more solid and substantial
In appearance than ornamental although
it does not by any means lack in that
quality
The main entrance is Q feet wide with
heavy stone steps, alCOYe windows on
either side, and massive stone portico
extending over the steps and the drive
way in front, with balcony above The
grand hallway Is 49, Xij feet with CORR.
doris - feet wide i'm the wings The first
floor Is occupied with the officers apart
mentS, quarter, for the governor parlor,
waltng-rOOm, dl,pensary, billiard room,
play-roOm, library. readiug-room aad in
the south wing the dining room. 42x12 feet
in size, with kitchen and pantry at
tached. The second hOor has % dOrmi-
tories and a theatcr 3Ji sX39 feet
with "A stage 80 XlG feet The cor.
responding section Of the third floor is oc-
cupied 10y the theater with a gallery in the
rear 39i qXls and a total seating capacity
of about 400. The remainder Of the third
floor Is divided into 20 dormitories The
hospital l. in the fourth story together
with a large attic. The laundry. store
room, cellar. etc, arc in the basement. The
building Is heated by steam and lighted
with gas throughout Ample fire escapes
are provided. Tho liuishings ON the first
floor are of hard wood and tile floor in
the corridors, and maple floors and pine
above
When Col. Wells was elected manager of
the home he went TO Grand Rapids opened
an office and prepared 20 temporarily care
for the veterans IN boarding houses and
private apartments until the permanent
home could be completed. The first inmate
was received sept. H. ls>j. and the rolls
now show that so veterans have been ad-
mittcd since that date The inmate, to-day
will muster 2i9 strong with - out on fur
Tough. about 100 discharged and about 81.
at fest in the little ccemetery back OF the
home. The house has accommodations for
about 400 inmates, and Col. Wells estimate,
that the binding will be full by February
and crowded year from now.
FORMALLY DEDICATED.
The home was formally dedicated on the
afternoon OF December 80 GOV. Alger ar
rived at midnight the night before. accom-
panied 10y hi, STAFF, and was escorted 10y
the local military companies to the Morton
house \ large number OF G.. y. r. posts
from all part, of the state were represent
cd bV fun DELEGATIONS and DESPITE the
wintry weather there was large attend
anCe OF other visitors The stream BEGAN
moving toward the home as early rs 10
O'Clock. Trains ran ont 20 the ace every
hour thereafter loaded 10 the guards and
many citizens and visitor went out in
private cOnveyanrcs. st : O'Clock proba-
bly, 1000 people had gathered ma and around
the house. The -peahluy was done from
platform erected lu the center 81 the grand
hall, and all who could gathered in the cor
ridors and hallway, 20 listen 10 them; but
the great mass OF course was outside un-
able TO get IN or 20 hear anything
The exercises opened with America
which was rendered 10y a quartet. assisted
by the enthusiastic audience, Then came
an eloquent prayer bv the Rev. Washing,
ton Gardner Of Jackson, followed 10y Red
White and Blue rendered by quartet
Contractor Charlie, liedke then formally
presented the building n, completed TO
architect Fred W. IlOiIi~tcr OF East Sagi.
nav, who in turn handed ~ over 10 Gov.
Ager as chairman of the board OF mana
gers, who transferred il 90 the Hon. John
NOrthwoOd. department commander of
with the ritualistic ceremonies of the or
der.
Gov. Alger then made the dedicatory
address in the following vol chosen words
VcfernD. This occasion which we had
looked forward TO, anticipating joyous
gathering, has been turned 20 one 81 sad
ness. One Of our great leaders, tho idol OF
the volunteer soldier and chief among
them all, has pas ell from earth through
the golden gates 10 his reward. How fond
~ and with what pride we called the name
OF John a. Logan Instead of having his
presence here to-day a was expected, and
listening 20 his fiery eloQuence that would
carry us in imagination through that
mighty struggle when the life OF the ma
ton was at stake his body lies cold in
death and the nation l. in tears He would
have reminded you Of battle scenes, where,
crossing steel with steel, scaling breast
works and taking the enemy guns at the
point Of the bayonet or climbing some
rugged mountain TO drive him from his
stronghold, you won a great victory. Or
perhaps. with that electric thrill which
banishes fear, as rider sat by rider with
flashing snber. charwiuv the enemy. cap